Imogen believes the man of her dreams has walked out on his wife for her, yet she never imagined how it will end. She has been admiring him since their days at Manchester University. It feels like a blind, naïve love unconditional and reckless. When he finally turns his attention to her, she loses her mind completely. Honestly, this happens a few years after she graduates they end up working in the same firm in London. After all, they share the same specialty, which is nothing out of the ordinary, but Imogen thinks it must be fate.
She feels he is exactly the bloke she has always wanted. At that point she doesnt mind that hes already married. She has never been married herself and has no idea what it feels like to watch a marriage fall apart, so she feels no shame when David decides to leave his wife for her. Who could have guessed it would cause her so much pain? As the saying goes, you cant build your happiness on anothers misery.
When David chooses her, Imogen feels on cloud nine and is ready to forgive anything. Yet in daytoday life he isnt the charming prince he appears to be in public. His belongings litter the flat, and he flatout refuses to do the dishes. All the housework falls on her shoulders, but at the time she couldnt care less.
He quickly forgets his previous marriage. They have no children, and it turns out his inlaws had pushed him into that union. With Imogen, everything should be different thats what he keeps telling her.
Her happiness is shortlived, because everything changes when she discovers shes pregnant. At first David is overjoyed about the baby. They even plan a big family gathering to announce the news, and everyone wishes them lots of love and good health for the forthcoming child. That evening remains one of Imogens fondest memories, and she regrets nothing when she looks back. But from that moment her blind love begins to dim.
The more her belly swells, the less she sees David. She is on maternity leave, so they only meet late at night. He stays late at the office and attends countless company parties. At first it doesnt bother her, but it soon drags her down. The chores become harder, because she can no longer simply bend down to pick up his socks scattered everywhere.
During this period she wonders whether they rushed into having a child. She knows feelings wane over time, but she never expected it to happen so quickly. David still brings her flowers and chocolate, yet she just wants him by her side.
Soon it becomes clear his frequent outings arent innocent. A coworker mentions, in passing, that a new young employee has joined their department. The team is already shortstaffed, and when Imogen went on maternity leave the workload became critical. How ironic.
She isnt certain its her, but David definitely has someone, because he never has a free minute. Either its work, a meeting, or another corporate soirée he cant miss. One day she finds a slip of paper in his jacket pocket with initials she doesnt recognise. She cant explain why she puts it back and pretends not to have noticed.
It is terrifying to be alone at seven months pregnant, and yet David keeps complaining that shes become too nervous. Every argument ends with a sigh of disappointment from him. She somehow realises that if she raises the issue, she will end up alone. The fear of losing him is so strong she can think of nothing else. As the old saying goes, when you dread something enough it often comes true.
No matter how elegantly David courted her, he is far from a gentleman. The worst words she ever hears are, Im not ready to have a child, and I have someone else. She cant even recall exactly how he said it, but in that moment she feels shes losing her mind.
She never thought she could summon the strength to ask for a divorce. It seems David didnt expect her to put up with his behaviour, nor that she would fling all his belongings out the next day. At that point she appreciates that they live in a rented flat at least they dont have to share the house.
And the baby? What will you do about him?
Ill figure it out. Ill work from home and my parents have always offered help. My mother warned me he was a bit of a womaniser I should have listened.
It is probably the responsibility towards her future son that gives her confidence. Alone, she would never have found the courage to leave. She also realises she does not want to raise a child with a father like him. His betrayal is so cowardly that she wants nothing more to do with him, as if a veil has lifted from her eyes.
The first months after the divorce, including the birth, are extremely tough. She moves back in with her parents in Birmingham, which delights them, especially her grandparents, who are thrilled to have a grandson. She cant say she doesnt miss David at all, but she tries not to think about him. Deep down she knows she has made the right choice and that she can give her son everything he needs.
Then, out of the blue, David reappears. He claims he regrets everything and wants to meet his son. But does Imogen want that? Maybe she really should move to another city, perhaps Edinburgh, to start anew.
